Chapter Eleven: The Power of the Ascension Pillar

“If you encounter a powerful demon, even the smallest movement could bring about your death.”
“So here’s a piece of advice: at any time, when you come across someone or something you don’t understand, whether human or demon—”
“Your first instinct should be to judge whether you’re capable of facing them as an enemy. If not, then focus on passing on information.”
“Human frailty, ignorance, or even the urge to flee in fear—none of these are obstacles to survival.”
“Only foolishness and arrogance are. Those will only hasten your demise.”
Hearing Xiaoju’s words, Chu Fan glanced at Genya Shinazugawa, who was trying to stand but trembled uncontrollably from the agony wracking his body, and spoke coldly.
The Demon Slayer Corps is filled with many righteous and powerful individuals, but there are also plenty who overestimate themselves.
To Chu Fan, Genya Shinazugawa, weak in ability and hot-tempered, clearly belonged among the latter.
If there were no other Destined Ones, Chu Fan would have chosen to join the human camp, relying on his own preparations and a bit of caution. Clearing the world of Demon Slayer would not have been such a difficult task.
But with those twelve Destined Ones joining the ranks of demons—
It would not take long, perhaps a week or two, before Muzan Kibutsuji, through information gleaned from the other Destined Ones who became demons, would learn an enormous amount. The situation for humanity would then take a sudden and drastic turn for the worse.
Thus, Chu Fan’s current circumstances were far from ideal.
Even if he wanted to give Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist, enough time to grow, those Destined Ones who became demons would never grant Tanjiro such opportunities.
For this reason, Chu Fan needed to leave a powerful impression on Tanjiro Kamado, so that the chosen one of this world would realize early on that there are always greater heights—and thus strive even harder to become strong.
“What a terrifying person.”
Zenitsu Agatsuma let out a strange screech.
Tanjiro Kamado, upon hearing these words and looking at the one called Phantom Feather, grew solemn.
He wanted to intervene and stop Phantom Feather’s cruel act, but the disparity in strength was so great that even his legs felt frozen in place.
At that moment, two little girls—one clad in black, the other in silver—stepped out from the wisteria grove.
“Congratulations to the four of you for passing the trial of the Demon Slayer Corps.”
“Before you join, there are some things you must know.”
“The Demon Slayer Corps has ten ranks.”
“They are: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth.”
“By passing the Corps’ trial, Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Kanao Tsuyuri, and Genya Shinazugawa—you all start at the Tenth rank.”
“As for your uniforms, they will be made to measure after we take your sizes.”
“As for Lord Phantom Feather, you possess the strength of a Hashira already. You are promoted directly to the highest rank, First. Once your Nichirin blade and uniform are prepared—”
“Lord Phantom Feather, you may then meet the Master at any time and choose to participate in the Hashira Promotion Trial.”
The silver-haired and black-haired twins took turns explaining the workings of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Genya Shinazugawa had managed to stand; his constitution was unique, allowing him to survive even after such grievous wounds.
Upon hearing that he was starting from the lowest rank, while the one who had just defeated him was promoted straight to First, he wanted to protest.
But as soon as he opened his mouth, he remembered that gaze—the look that regarded him as nothing more than an ant, and the words of warning. The urge to protest died in his throat.
Chu Fan was a little surprised at his immediate promotion to the First rank, but recalling what Xiaoju had said about him coming from afar, he understood.

So Chu Fan simply stood silently to the side, waiting patiently.
After the explanations, the two little girls clapped their hands.
Several crows and a single sparrow came flying in, causing a small commotion.
A crow landed quietly on Chu Fan’s shoulder, perfectly obedient.
“These are your crows. They will help you transmit and receive mission information.”
“Next, you must select the material for forging your Nichirin blade.”
The black-haired girl pulled the red cloth off the table, revealing several lumps of ore, each with a unique shape.
“The steel that slaughters demons and protects its wielder.”
“You must each make your own choice.”
“Please, select yours.”
With that, the twin girls stepped aside.
Chu Fan glanced at the materials; the Chosen Paradise had provided him with appraisals of their quality.
He immediately selected the piece of ore with the highest rating.
“Lord Phantom Feather, are you leaving now?”
His guide, Xiaoju, asked respectfully upon seeing Chu Fan make his choice so quickly.
“Yes.”
Chu Fan nodded slightly in response.
“Then please, follow me.”
Xiaoju bowed and spoke with deference.
“Now that you are members of the Demon Slayer Corps, the battles ahead will be even harsher than you expect.”
“Be careful not to die along the way.”
Before leaving with Xiaoju, Chu Fan turned and left this warning for the others, then strode away.
“I’m not sure what it means to be a Hashira,”
“But that person, Phantom Feather, is truly powerful.”
“I could smell raging flames coming from him—he seemed to be a living blaze.”
Tanjiro Kamado, watching Chu Fan depart, spoke gravely.
It was this feeling that prevented Tanjiro from acting when Chu Fan struck.
“He seems terrifying, but isn’t he our ally?”
Zenitsu Agatsuma said timidly.
He’d heard only the faint sound of Chu Fan’s landing, but his eyes couldn’t follow Chu Fan’s movements at all.
“That guy… I’ll make him pay, one day.”
Now that Chu Fan was gone, Genya Shinazugawa finally dared show his anger, growling through gritted teeth.
“Promoted straight to First, and burning like a flame… Is he the Flame Hashira’s successor?”

Kanao Tsuyuri, hearing this, gazed thoughtfully in the direction Chu Fan had left.
But she had never heard her sister mention that Kyojuro Rengoku, one of the nine Hashira, had found a suitable successor.
So she could not guess Chu Fan’s true identity.
Elsewhere, in a hidden, spacious Japanese-style house—
A black-haired man, his face ruined and sightless, smiled faintly as he listened to the news delivered by a crow.
“This year, we are blessed with Phantom Feather—a warrior with Hashira-level strength even without a Nichirin blade.”
“And five new members passed the trial. Excellent.”
“Our odds of victory increase.”
The Ubuyashiki family had spent a thousand years locked in battle against Muzan Kibutsuji.
This man was none other than Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps, whom the nine Hashira served.
To become a Hashira, one must undergo a trial arranged by him.
※※※※※※
On the other side—
“Lord Phantom Feather, your uniform and Nichirin blade will be delivered within a week.”
“Please be patient and stay for now in the residence the Master has prepared for you.”
Xiaoju spoke.
Since she was serving a future Hashira, preparations had been made in advance.
“You take care of everything.”
Chu Fan had thought he would need to handle his own lodging and meals.
He hadn’t known what kind of identity the Chosen had assigned him.
But now, with his immediate promotion to First rank and Xiaoju as his guide,
He didn’t have to worry about daily necessities even in the face of overwhelming disadvantage.
And he could soon participate directly in the Hashira Promotion Trial.
The Chosen had arranged for him to possess the strength of a Hashira.
Yet, personally, Chu Fan didn’t want to become a Hashira just yet, as it would expose his identity and presence too soon.
“Very well, I’ll handle the arrangements.”
Xiaoju nodded and led Chu Fan away.
As Chu Fan followed, he called upon the Fate System in his mind.
“I am here. What questions do you have, Host?”
With that cold voice echoing in his mind, Chu Fan confirmed his earlier suspicion: for some unknown reason, the Fate System would not respond to him within the Chosen Paradise.